Jharkhand Congress pushes for separate OBC column in 2027 Census

The Jharkhand Pradesh Congress Committee staged a demonstration demanding that the 2027 Census include a separate column for Other Backward Classes enumeration. A 10-member delegation submitted a formal memorandum to the state Governor outlining the party's position on the matter.

Congress leaders argue that the absence of dedicated OBC data in previous censuses has created a significant information gap that hampers governance. The party contends that obtaining accurate population figures for the OBC community would provide a stronger factual foundation for formulating policies related to social welfare, affirmative action, and political representation.

The delegation emphasized that census data forms the backbone of demographic analysis and policy planning across multiple government departments. They asserted that a distinct OBC column would enable more precise targeting of development programmes and ensure that reservation policies are grounded in reliable statistical evidence.

The move reflects broader political efforts across India to secure better data collection mechanisms for backward classes. The Congress has positioned the demand as essential for ensuring inclusive governance and equitable resource allocation based on scientific enumeration rather than outdated or incomplete information.